Eagle 2009 February

February 2009
Vol. 18 Issue 6

Happy Valentines Day! If come Monday, February 16, any men of the community are in trouble with their better half for not making all the right romantic gestures, come and seek solace at the monthly meeting of the Brookfield Mens Club. Not to say that BMCers aren't of a romantic bent; they just hide it well, so you will feel right at home. On the other hand if you did make all the right moves on and leading up to the 14th; the BMCers may welcome your presence to instruct them in those mannerisms. The February meeting is the BMC's Anniversary dinner meeting, please make note of the special time at 6:30 PM. A catered dinner is offered so if you are not a regular attendee, please call 673-2106 so we can have the right number of settings and dinners available. The fee is $12 and all BMCers are encouraged to bring their sons as guests. We expect a very interesting presentation on the joint venture by Lafarge and Ducks Unlimited to create the fowl - favored wetlands project in "the meadow" across from Ed Creelman Park.
Once again that's 6:30 PM at the Brookfield Fire Station on Monday February 16.

From the outset, the Eagle wants to atone for some oversights, the most notable was omitting Anitra Whidden as a feature performer at the Food for the Spirit concert. The Densmore Lane resident performed two of her original compositions, and the Eagle's only excuse for not reporting that in the January issue (other than a permanent state of cerebral fogginess) is that he was spellbound by the performance. Antira and husband Dave rang in the New Year in Paradise, Newfoundland, returning the visit of daughter Kim, who was home in December. Other travellers included Jim and Marlene Feener, who went to London, Ontario to visit daughters Adinda and Shelley. Betty, Victor, and Todd Dickie spent Christmas in Alberta visiting son Bruce and family (Mary and Andrew).
Mary Henderson went to Vancouver to visit daughters Julie and Laura and her new granddaughter Kate. Lexie and Kristin Stewart went to the Dominican Republic; no word if that was a present to Lexie for passing a birthday milestone! Aubrey and Janet Armstrong made their annual peregrination to Cuba. Sharon O'Leary went to Toronto to help care for her new grandson, while mother Tamara was in the hospital.

Holy Symmetry Batman!! Part of the 1967 graduating class of South Colchester High School were three young ladies, namely Elaine Purdy of South Branch and Brookfielders Ardith Ross and Patsy Campbell. They all went on to marry SCHS men, respectively Maurice Nelson (Pleasant Valley), Wayne Teas (South Branch) and Herb McCallum (Hilden). Incredibly some 41 plus years later, their daughters, in order Rayann (Nelson) Frizzell, Joanne (Teas) Bean, and Laura (McCallum) Grinton, all have (or will) give birth to babies within a span of a few weeks. Rayann and husband Chris Frizzell had a baby boy in Prince Edward Island, the first grandchild for Maurice and Elaine; while Joanne and Cameron Bean welcomed baby girl Scarlet, a sister for Ava in Mississauga, Ontario: Pat and Herb's Laura was provided with a fantastic baby shower by many of her community friends at the Curling Club, and is due within a few weeks. Laura and husband Shane reside in Prince Edward Island. To top things off Maurice and Elaine's other daughter Alanna, jumped on the bandwagon, and delivered her baby girl. Alanna is married to Chris MacPhee; they live in Stewiacke East. Jeffrey Hamilton and Elaina Gammell welcomed a baby boy into their household. Congratulations to all the families welcoming additions!!

Betty Carter has been hospitalized with a knee replacement - hopefully she will soon be back at her regular post at the Brookfield Junior Elks hockey games - the team and the other fans miss her! Betty's son Lenny received a scare when he was subjected to a propane leak at his workplace that left him semiconscious before treatment. The Men's Club did not seem the same at the January meeting without veteran stalwart Art Lindsay in attendance - Art has had triple by-pass heart surgery, that by all reports went well. We eagerly await his return to the BMC and community life in general. Art's wife Roberta has returned home from the hospital.
Zoe Barbour had the pleasure of seeing her granddaughter, Lexie Barbour of Chateauguay, Quebec, skate in the Synchronized Skating Eastern Regionals in Halifax. Her team, 'Les Chatelaines' won silver. Lexie is also a singles skater. Mike, Zoe's son and Lexie's father, is manager of the team and attended the Halifax competition as well.
Zach Sill continues to shine for the Moncton Jr. Wildcats in a recent Quebec Major Junior League in Halifax, he contributed 2 goals and an assist, and was the game's First Star. Andrew Gordon, grandson of former Brookfielders (and BMC co-founder) Reverend Earle and Anne Gordon, has been called up to the NHL's Southeast Division leading Washington Capitals. Former Brookfield Bantam Elk Casey Babineau of Beaver Brook was named the Top Defenseman in the N.S. Major Midget Hockey League. Adam Burrows, son of Graham and Elizabeth, and grandson of Geradline and late Victor, graduated from the Canadian Border Services College in Quebec. Adam is now working at the Calgary airport as a Border Services Officer. His parents attended the graduation in La Belle Province, than motored on to Ottawa to visit former Brookfielder Wayne Watson and his wife Elizabeth. Danica (Cooke) Ellis attended the Council of Amateur Sport Kickboxing (CASK) Nationals in Burlington Ontario and lost in the finals by one point. We cannot confirm rumors she uses her father Robbie as her practice target?!? Back at the Sportsplex the Brookfield Elks scored an impressive 7-5 comeback win over the first place Cumberland Blues. The league is exceptionally close this year with the playoffs less than 2 weeks away, make sure to stop by to see some impressive action. On the other side of the Sportsplex wall, the Brookfield Curling Club hosted the "Prime Time" provincial Curling Championships for those 70 and over. This two - day event was captured by Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame'er Peter Hope and his rink; curlers from around the province marveled at the condition of the BCC's ice and other facilities. Phil Henderson curls out of the Dartmouth Curling Club, but being too young for the event, served as impresario and directed the proceedings, as locals who otherwise would be in that role (Hugh Matheson, Carl Densmore, Terry Henderson, and Elmer Archibald) were occupied on the ice. We salute Ed Graham whose 80th birthday party at the All Around the Circle Seniors group drew a large crowd. Included were his son Vernon and wife Linda from Halifax; and son Jeff, and daughters Ivy Haasen and Lori Recoskie flew in from Northern Ontario. Gwen (Cooke) Campbell blew out an hour's worth of candles (minutes) at her surprise birthday party. The Brookfield Curling Club will also host Nova Scotia Junior Championship in February 14-17, and the Provincial Mixed Title on March 27 - April 1. There is no doubt the reputation for fantastic facilities at the BCC has been noticed by the Nova Scotia Curling Association and rock tossers everywhere. 2008 SCA graduate David Cameron of Middle Stewiacke was named to the President's list at NSAC, as was Don and Doady Hazelton's granddaughter Jenna. Both are enrolled in the rigorous Engineering program.

We're sorry to report of the passing in Valley of Edith McNutt, she was a sister to Sheila (Mrs. John) Clarke. Patty Densmore's grandmother Stella Cox, died in Dean - she formerly lived in the Brandt Lane apartments. Frances Fisher's sister Evelyn (Ryan) Burns of Onslow died; she previously had lived in Brookfield. Tony Wellings also passed away, as did Irene Maguire's mother Vera Sibley in Stewiacke. We extend our sympathies to all who have mourned loved ones.

Duncan Retson was home from Ontario to spend time with parents Gene and Marion; it is reported he gave an impressive presentation at Acadia University. Randy Matheson came from Toronto to visit with John and Lynn.

As we pass the middle of February many hold to the theory that the worst of winter is behind us, at least in terms of the bone chilling temperatures received in January the likes of which we seldom have seen. On at least a couple of occasions the wind chill dipped below - 35! There is lots of winter time still to be enjoyed, however, on occasion, snowmobiling, coasting, outdoor skating, cross county skiing, and many other activities have been ideal. You should note on your calendar February 28 that the dynamic duo of James Hill and Anne Davison (plus some special friends) will perform at the Marigold Cultural Center - this will mark the release of their CD "True Love Don't Weep". The Crystal Lake Drive residents will put on a show you will soon not forget - get your tickets while they last. More details and ticket info at http://ww3.ticketpro/event.php?eventid=526. On Thursday, February 26 the Truro Sport Heritage Society will host their Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet. Donald "Pibby" Henderson is a finalist in the Volunteer of the Year category for his unstinting work in many areas, not the least of which is at the Brookfield Curling Club and as Premises Committee Co-Chairman, on the Sporstplex Board of Directors and perhaps most obviously, the incredible renovation project at Elk Park. Pibby led the way in the planning, and in obtaining materials, suppliers and contractors, and headed the construction project which sometimes saw many Volunteers and at other times became a solo project. It is our hope that the TSHS Award committee gives him the recognition he so deserves.

Remember to enlist as an individual, or as a team, for the popular Great Community Curling Classic which will put on its 20th annual event on April 3-5. This event has room for 32 teams, and works well for a wide range from the most experienced curlers to some who have never tried and want to start. It is an event unique to our club and provides a great introduction to the game. The Men's Club annual Ladies Night extravaganza will be held on Monday, April 20. The ladies of the community and surrounding area will be invited, as always, and treated to a fine meal, some entertainment (perhaps of questionable value), and the presentation of the BMC Eagle Award. The Men's Club welcomes suggestions for either of the latter categories - if anyone has any programming ideas for Ladies Night, please pass them along to any BMCer; and we will welcome nominations for the Eagle Award up to April 5. The Eagle Award is perhaps the highest recognition a citizen of our area can receive, as it commemorates the winner's long - term community service and generosity to others. Please forward any names and, or text supporting the nomination to the Eagle address or any BMCer. The Caring Community Committee of the BCA are compiling an information book for all residents; if you have business/cultural/recreation, etc. info that should be included, please submit ASAP to Angela Reid at jamieandangela[@]eastlink.ca or call 673-3166.

Please remember the anniversary dinner next Monday night (February 16) at 6:30 PM at the Fire Hall - again if you are not a regular attendee, you are more than welcome to join us, but please call Terry at 673-2106 so we will have the proper number of dinners available.

[Victor and Shirley DeBay of Brentwood are pleased to announce the birth of their 6th grandchild. Connor Aaron DeBay was born 3 months early weighing 2 pounds 2.5 ounces. He was born in ambulance on hwy #111 Dartmouth. He will be spending the next 3 months in IWK hospital. He is the son of Douglas DeBay & Lisa Myatt of Candymountain HRM, just outside of Cole Harbour. They would like to thank all family and friends for their kindness and prayers at such a time of need.]

See you at the BMC!

The Eagle